Manitoba recently reached a major milestone in the largest immunization campaign in the province’s history, as 50 per cent of people aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“As our vaccination rollout continues to expand, we will see more and more of these milestones reached,” said Health and Seniors Care Minister Heather Stefanson. “Again, we can’t thank the teams behind this immunization campaign enough. It requires a true team effort to get something of this scale done so well, from the staff and volunteers at our super sites and pop-up clinics, to those who work behind the scenes to make everything runs smoothly.”
To date, a total of 629,943 first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. More than 51 per cent of all adults in Manitoba aged 18 or older have received at least one dose.
“We are in a race between the vaccine and the COVID-19 variants, and I know Manitobans are rolling up their sleeves like never before,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force. “Many of you had to wait patiently until it was your turn, and now you’re in great company with hundreds of thousands of your loved ones, neighbours and community leaders who have also chosen to be immunized. We’re making incredible progress, but we need to keep protecting ourselves and protecting each other by getting the vaccine.”
Individuals can currently book appointments at super sites in Winnipeg (RBC Convention Centre and Leila Soccer Complex locations), Brandon, Selkirk, Morden, Thompson, Dauphin, Steinbach and Gimli. Five urban Indigenous clinics are also providing immunizations in Winnipeg (two locations), Portage la Prairie, Brandon and Thompson, and provide better access to people who might otherwise face barriers. Vaccines continue to be delivered in pop-up clinics in communities and First Nations across the province, and in congregate living settings by focused immunization teams.
“The rollout is only going to grow as vaccine supplies ramp up in the days and weeks ahead,” said Johanu Botha, operations lead of the Vaccine Implementation Task Force. “We have built a robust vaccine distribution system to get needles into arms as quickly as possible, in locations throughout the province. This milestone is an inspiration, but it is no time to slow down. There is a dose for every Manitoban who wants it, and in the weeks ahead, we’re looking forward to start booking second doses as well.”
Earlier this week, the Manitoba government announced expanded vaccine eligibility to anyone 12 and up. Booking for second doses will start no later than May 22, with further details on who will be able to book first provided in the coming days.
An updated interactive map is available to help locate the nearest immunization site, at protectmb.ca.
To learn more about Manitoba’s vaccine campaign and to read stories about people who have chosen or committed to be immunized, visit protectmb.ca.
